Location of fire at 5833 73rd Avenue North, Tuesday, April 1, 2014 in Brooklyn Center, where authorities said four people were taken to the hospital after fire broke out early Tuesday morning.

Elizabeth Flores, Dml -

Location of fire at 5833 73rd Avenue North, Tuesday, April 1, 2014 in Brooklyn Center, where authorities said four people were taken to the hospital after fire broke out early Tuesday morning.

Elizabeth Flores, Dml -

Residents leap from flames of Brooklyn Park apartment fire

Article by: Paul Walsh

Star Tribune

April 1, 2014 - 9:04 PM

Fire erupted early Tuesday at an apartment complex in Brooklyn Park, sending some residents jumping from third-floor windows to avoid flames that authorities said are suspicious in origin.

The short-lived blaze erupted soon after 1 a.m. in a third-floor hall of the Huntington Place Apartments at 5833 73rd Avenue, east of Zane Avenue, according to the fire department.

Four people required hospital treatment for injuries not considered life-threatening, said Deputy Fire Chief Todd Seitz. Two were hurt jumping from third-floor windows; one resident’s hand was cut while reaching for a fire extinguisher. There was no immediate word on what sent the fourth person to the hospital, Seitz added.

“They were coming out the windows,” Seitz said. “Our crews arrived and we had them hanging out the windows even before we could get ladders in place.”

About a half-dozen others who waited were brought down fire ladders to safety, the deputy chief added.

The fire began in a couch left in the hall, Seitz said.

“Somehow it caught fire,” he said. “We listed it as suspicious.”

Those who had to leave apartments in the three-story complex either stayed warm in their cars or in buses brought to the scene for shelter. There are more than 125 units in the complex.

The fire was considered out within 20 minutes and most residents were allowed to return home, Seitz said. Ten to 12 units were affected. While some of those apartments were unoccupied, some residents in other damaged units are seeking alternative housing, he added.